Receiving Apparatus, Receiving Method, Recording Apparatus, Recording Method, Program, Recording Medium, and Network System

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recording apparatus and for getting the recording apparatus to record the contents in accordance with preset recording reservations, the receiving apparatus including: a recording ready time information acquisition section configured to acquire from the recording apparatus information about a recording ready time; a continuous recording determination section configured to determine whether two chronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recording based on the preset recording reservations; and an end time setting section configured such that if the two chronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved for recording, then the end time setting section sets the time at which to end processing for recording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired information about the recording ready time.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2008-086709 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Mar. 28,2008, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus, a receivingmethod, a recording apparatus, a recording method, a program, arecording medium, and a network system. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, a recordingapparatus, a recording method, a program, a recording medium, and anetwork system for recording desired broadcast programs more reliablythan before.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent years have witnessed the widespread use of technologies forinterconnecting PCs which stands for personal computers, theirperipherals, AV equipment which stands for audio visual equipment,telephones, home electrical appliances and the like on a network in thehousehold and for allowing the networked devices to share theirfunctions. Diverse technical specifications for bringing about suchinterconnecting networks have been proposed. As part of the effort forimplementing household interconnectedness, a set of technicalspecifications known as UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) has beenproposed.

UPnP is based on standardized technologies supporting the Internet andaims to let devices and apparatuses start to function when they aresimply connected to the network, with no complicated operations orsettings. Illustratively under UPnP, a content received by a receiverconnected to a network may be recorded by a recorder also on thenetwork.

More specifically, the content received by the receiver is recorded bythe recorder using an action called “CreateObject” stipulated by UPnP.Then an “http-post” process defined by UPnP is executed, causing thedata of the content to be sent to a predetermined URL (uniform resourcelocators). In this manner, the data of the content received by thereceiver is uploaded to and recorded by the recorder. On the side of therecorder, the individual contents uploaded and recorded are managed inthe form of files.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-195243 proposes an automaticrecording system involving a set-top box (STB) with timer-basedunattended program recording reservation settings. According to theproposed system, when a reserved recording preset time is reached on theSTB, a changeover switch is set to the connection terminal position sothat the video signal is output for a few seconds with the DC level ofthe color signal kept on 0.8 V. Upon detecting that voltage level, a DCdetector in the VTR (which stands for video tape recorder) causes apower controller to apply power before a recording controller isactivated to start recording the preset program. In this manner,recording is carried out in synchronism with the timer settings made onthe STB.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, when two chronologically successive broadcast programs are tobe recorded as contents by the proposed system, the recorder needs toclose a file system for the first broadcast program (content) uponcompletion of the uploading thereof and to open the file system for thesecond broadcast program (content) before the start of the uploading ofthe latter. That is, a certain period of time is required to elapsebetween the end of recording of the first content and the start ofrecording of the second content. It follows that although the firstprogram can be recorded to the end, an initial part of the secondprogram may not be properly recorded.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstancesand provides arrangements for recording reserved broadcast programs morereliably than before.

In carrying out the present invention and according to one embodimentthereof, there is provided a receiving apparatus for sending receivedcontents to a recording apparatus and for getting the recordingapparatus to record the contents in accordance with preset recordingreservations, the receiving apparatus including: a recording ready timeinformation acquisition section configured to acquire from the recordingapparatus information about a recording ready time that elapses from thetime the recording of one content is ordered to be ended until therecording of another content is ready to be started; a continuousrecording determination section configured to determine whether twochronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recordingbased on the preset recording reservations; and an end time settingsection configured such that if the two chronologically successivebroadcast contents are found reserved for recording, then the end timesetting section sets the time at which to end processing for recordingthe earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of thelatter of the two contents and on the acquired information about therecording ready time.

Preferably, by communicating with the recording apparatus over thenetwork under protocols stipulated by a standard known as UPnP (whichstands for Universal Plug and Play), the recording ready timeinformation acquisition section may acquire the recording ready time inaccordance with the protocols.

Preferably, the recording ready time information may be defined by UPnPand described by predetermined tags within device descriptioninformation held by the recording apparatus.

Preferably, the receiving apparatus may store information foridentifying the recording apparatus and, when storing the informationfor identifying the recording apparatus, the receiving apparatus mayacquire and stores address information for identifying the location atwhich is stored the recording ready time information inside therecording apparatus.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a receiving method for use with a receiving apparatus forsending received contents to a recording apparatus and for getting therecording apparatus to record the contents in accordance with presetrecording reservations, the receiving method including the steps of:acquiring from the recording apparatus information about a recordingready time that elapses from the time the recording of one content isordered to be ended until the recording of another content is ready tobe started; determining whether two chronologically successive broadcastcontents are reserved for recording based on the preset recordingreservations; and if the two chronologically successive broadcastcontents are found reserved for recording, then setting the time atwhich to end processing for recording the earlier of the two contentsbased on a broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and onthe acquired information about the recording ready time.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program including the steps of causing a computer to functionas a receiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recordingapparatus and for getting the recording apparatus to record the contentsin accordance with preset recording reservations, the receivingapparatus including: a recording ready time information acquisitionsection configured to acquire from the recording apparatus informationabout a recording ready time that elapses from the time the recording ofone content is ordered to be ended until the recording of anothercontent is ready to be started; a continuous recording determinationsection configured to determine whether two chronologically successivebroadcast contents are reserved for recording based on the presetrecording reservations; and an end time setting section configured suchthat if the two chronologically successive broadcast contents are foundreserved for recording, then the end time setting section sets the timeat which to end processing for recording the earlier of the two contentsbased on a broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and onthe acquired information about the recording ready time.

Where the above-outlined receiving apparatus, receiving method, orprogram embodying the present invention is in use, the information aboutthe recording ready time that elapses from the time the recording of onecontent is ordered to be ended until the recording of another content isready to be started is first acquired from the recording apparatus. Acheck is then made to determine whether two chronologically successivebroadcast contents are reserved for recording based on the presetrecording reservations. If the two chronologically successive broadcastcontents are found reserved for recording, then the time is set at whichto end processing for recording the earlier of the two contents based onthe broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and on theacquired information about the recording ready time.

According to an even further embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a recording apparatus for recording received contents sentby a receiving apparatus configured to receive contents, the recordingapparatus including: a storage section configured to store recordingready time information for use by the receiving apparatus preset withtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents reserved forrecording, the recording ready time information allowing the receivingapparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to be endeduntil the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready to bestarted; and an address information output section configured to outputaddress information onto a network connected with the receivingapparatus, the address information identifying the location at which isstored the recording ready time information inside the storage section.

Preferably, the recording ready time information may be defined by UPnP(which stands for Universal Plug and Play) and described bypredetermined tags within device description information.

According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, thereis provided a recording method for use with a recording apparatus forrecording received contents sent by a receiving apparatus configured toreceive contents, the recording method including the steps of: causing astorage section of the recording apparatus to store recording ready timeinformation for use by the receiving apparatus preset with twochronologically successive broadcast contents reserved for recording,the recording ready time information allowing the receiving apparatus toset a recording ready Lime that elapses from the time the recording ofthe earlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until therecording of the latter of the two contents is ready to be started; andoutputting address information onto a network connected with thereceiving apparatus, the address information identifying the location atwhich is stored the recording ready time information inside the storagesection.

According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a program including the steps of causing a computer to functionas a recording apparatus for recording received contents sent by areceiving apparatus configured to receive contents, the recordingapparatus including: a storage section configured to store recordingready time information for use by the receiving apparatus preset withtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents reserved forrecording, the recording ready time information allowing the receivingapparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to be endeduntil the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready to bestarted; and an address information output section configured to outputaddress information onto a network connected with the receivingapparatus, the address information identifying the location at which isstored the recording ready time information inside the storage section.

Where the above-outlined recording apparatus, recording method, orprogram embodying the present invention is in use, the storage sectionof the recording apparatus is first caused to store the recording readytime information for use by the receiving apparatus preset with twochronologically successive broadcast contents reserved for recording,the recording ready time information allowing the receiving apparatus toset the recording ready time that elapses from the time the recording ofthe earlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until therecording of the latter of the two contents is ready to be started.Address information is then output onto a network connected with thereceiving apparatus, the address information identifying the location atwhich is stored the recording ready time information inside the storagesection.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a network system including a receiving apparatus and arecording apparatus interconnected via a network, the receivingapparatus receiving contents based on preset recording reservations, therecording apparatus recording the contents received by the recordingapparatus; wherein the receiving apparatus includes: a recording readytime information acquisition section configured to acquire from therecording apparatus information about a recording ready time thatelapses from the time the recording of one content is ordered to beended until the recording of another content is ready to be started; acontinuous recording determination section configured to determinewhether two chronologically successive broadcast contents are reservedfor recording based on the preset recording reservations; and an endtime setting section configured such that if the two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents are found reserved for recording, then theend time setting section sets the time at which to end processing forrecording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast starttime of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired informationabout the recording ready time; and wherein the recording apparatusincludes: a storage section configured to store the recording ready timeinformation for use by the receiving apparatus preset with the twochronologically successive broadcast contents reserved for recording,the recording ready time information allowing the receiving apparatus toset the recording ready time that elapses from the time the recording ofthe earlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until therecording of the latter of the two contents is ready to be started; andan address information output section configured to output addressinformation onto the network connected with the receiving apparatus, theaddress information identifying the location at which is stored therecording ready time information inside the storage section.

Where the above-outlined network system embodying the present inventionis in use, the information about the recording ready time that elapsesfrom the time the recording of one content is ordered to be ended untilthe recording of another content is ready to be started is firstacquired from the recording apparatus. A check is then made to determinewhether two chronologically successive broadcast contents are reservedfor recording based on the preset recording reservations. If the twochronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved forrecording, then the time is set at which to end processing for recordingthe earlier of the two contents based on the broadcast start time of thelatter of the two contents and on the acquired information about therecording ready time. Meanwhile, the storage section of the recordingapparatus is caused to store the recording ready time information foruse by the receiving apparatus preset with the two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents reserved for recording, the recordingready time information allowing the receiving apparatus to set therecording ready time that elapses from the time the recording of theearlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until the recordingof the latter of the two contents is ready to be started. Addressinformation is then output onto the network connected with the receivingapparatus, the address information identifying the location at which isstored the recording ready time information inside the storage section.

According to the above-outlined embodiments of the present invention,reserved broadcast programs can be recorded more reliably than before.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of an embodiment of the present invention will becomeapparent upon a reading of the following description and appendeddrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a typical configuration of a networksystem embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a tabular view showing an example of XML (extensible markuplanguage) statements stored in a memory of a recorder constituting partof the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a typical functional structure ofsoftware executed by a control section constituting part of theembodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an arrow diagram of typical steps in which a content isuploaded in a manner stipulated by UPnP;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of typical steps constituting a recording readytime information acquiring process;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of typical steps constituting an upload endingprocess;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing how broadcast programs are typicallyreserved for recording; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a typical structure of a personalcomputer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedin reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing a typical configuration of a network system 10 embodying thepresent invention. The network system 10 is illustratively composed ofapparatuses that comply with the specifications of UPnP (Universal Plugand Play).

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the network system 10 has a receiver 21and a recorder 41 interconnected with each other via a network 11. Thenetwork 11 may illustratively be a local area network such as theEthernet (registered trademark).

The network system 10 is typically capable of having contents viewed orrecorded using the receiver 21 and recorder 41. For example, the user ofthe network system 10 may reserve desired broadcast programs forunattended recording by making suitable operations on the receiver 21using a remote controller, not shown. In such a case, it is assumed thatthe recorder 41 does not directly receive and record broadcast programs.Instead, the receiver 21 first receives the broadcast programs and therecorder 41 then records the programs that have been received by thereceiver 21.

The receiver 21 is typically structured as a set-top box (STB) thatcontains a tuner 22. Illustratively the tuner 22 receives and decodesdigital broadcast signals making up the content data that has beencompression-encoded as per a predetermined compression encoding schemesuch as MPEG-2. After decoding the digital broadcast signals into videoand audio data, the receiver 21 sends the resulting data as needed ontothe network 11 as the content data.

The receiver 21 further includes a control section 23, a timer 24, and anetwork interface 25. The control section 23 illustratively contains aprocessor and a memory and controls the components of the receiver 21 inkeeping with preinstalled programs or the like. As needed, the controlsection 23 acquires time-related information counted by the timer 24 andperforms time-based processes.

The network interface 25 outputs onto the network 11 the data comingfrom the tuner 22 or from the control section 23 over an internal bus orthrough other suitable routes inside the receiver 21. The networkinterface 25 also receives data placed onto the network 11, and forwardsthe received data onto the internal bus or the like in the receiver 21.

The recorder 41 is typically made up of a HDD (hard disk drive) recorderor a DVD (digital versatile disk) recorder. When recording broadcastprograms (i.e., contents), the recorder 41 receives the data of thecontents sent by the receiver 21 and records the received data contentto an internal storage 43. The storage 43 is illustratively constitutedby a HDD or a DVD drive.

The recorder 41 also includes a controller 42 and a network interface44. The controller 42 contains a processor and a memory, and controlsthe components of the recorder 41 in accordance with preinstalledprograms or the like.

The network interface 44 outputs onto the network 11 the data comingfrom the controller 42 or from the storage 43 over an internal bus orthrough other suitable routes inside the recorder 41. The networkinterface 44 also receives data placed onto the network 11 and forwardsthe received data onto the internal bus or the like inside the recorder41.

Furthermore, the controller 42 outputs URL's (uniform resource locators)as needed onto the network 11, the URL's constituting addressinformation for locating information stored in an internal memory 51.

In the receiver 21, the control section 23 illustratively acceptsreservations of the broadcast programs (contents) to be receivedaccording to the user's operations. In accepting the program receptionreservations, the control section 23 detects a broadcast start time anda broadcast end time of each of the reserved programs based on the timeinformation counted by the timer 24. Every time a reserved broadcasttime period is reached and started, the control section 23 receives thecontent being broadcast during that time period on a predeterminedbroadcast channel.

The program (i.e., content) to be broadcast may be reserved in one oftwo ways. The user may manually input the channel on which the desiredprogram is to be broadcast and the broadcast start time and broadcastend time of the program in question. Alternatively, based on a searchthrough program-related information such as EPG (electronic programguide) for desired programs, the receiver 21 may automatically input thechannel over which each desired program is to be broadcast as well asthe broadcast start time and broadcast end time of the program inquestion.

The control section 23 is typically configured to accept programrecording reservations based on the user's operations. When acceptingprogram recording reservations, the control section 23 identifies theapparatus that is caused to record the reserved programs. Since thereceiver 21 can receive programs but cannot record them, the recorder 41is illustratively identified as the apparatus for carrying out recordingprocesses. It is assumed that an internal memory or the like in thecontrol section 23 stores beforehand the information for identifying therecorder 41 (e.g., its IP address which stands for Internet Protocoladdress) as an apparatus capable of recording programs.

Upon accepting a program recording reservation, the control section 23detects the broadcast start time and broadcast end time of the reservedprogram based on the time information counted by the timer 24. When thereserved broadcast time period is reached and started, the controlsection 23 receives the content being broadcast on a predeterminedbroadcast channel during the reserved time period. At the same time, thecontrol section 23 sends the data of the received content to therecorder 41 over the network 11. More specifically, the content receivedby the receiver 21 is recorded by the recorder 41 as follows: an objectis first generated using an action “CreateObject” stipulated by UPnP. Aprocess called “http-post” also defined by UPnP is then carried out tosend the content data to a predetermined URL. In this manner, the dataof the content received by the receiver 21 is uploaded to and recordedby the recorder 41.

The individual contents uploaded to and recorded by the recorder 41 arewritten illustratively to the storage 43. The recorded contents are eachmanaged as a file.

The storage 43 in the recorder 41 is typically constituted by the HDD(hard disk drive) or DVD (digital versatile disk) drive as mentionedabove. The recorder 41 has a file system installed inside as software tobe executed by the controller 42. This file system is designed tomanage, among others, the locations at which data is recorded in thestorage 43. The file system illustratively utilizes a file allocationtable whereby the file names of the files recorded in the storage 42 areassociated with record units such as the sectors in which data isactually recorded.

For example, the file allocation table contains information specifyingthe sectors being used (i.e., filled with data) and not used (free ofdata). When the file allocation table is updated in a timely manner toreflect the data getting recorded (written) to or deleted from a storagemedium, that storage medium can be utilized effectively as a resourceoffering a predetermined recording capacity.

In order to read and write data, the file system carries out processesknown as system calls including “open,” “read,” “write,” and “close.”Illustratively, when writing data to the storage 43, the file systemprocesses the system call “open.” Upon completion of the data writeoperation to the storage 43, the file system processes the system call“close.” This causes the content data to be recorded as a file in thestorage 43.

When uploading a content to the recorder 41, the receiver 21 firstperforms the action “CreateObject” stipulated by UPnP. In turn, the filesystem of the recorder 41 processes the system call “open.” Upon receiptof a packet designating an end of the upload process from the receiver21, the file system of the recorder 41 processes the system call“close.”

More specifically, the packet designating an end of the upload processis a packet which has a parameter “chunk size” set to “0.” This packetis sent by the receiver 21 to the recorder 41 to indicate that theupload process has ended.

In the past, when a broadcast content was recorded, the packet with itsparameter “chunk size” set to “0” was sent from the receiver 21 to therecorder 41 at the broadcast end time of the content. The packet causedthe file system of the recorder 41 to process the system call “close.”

It takes some time for the file system to process the system call“close.” It also takes time for the file system to process the systemcall “open.” It follows that when two chronologically successivecontents are to be recorded in the ordinary setup, the latter of the twocontents might have its initial part truncated when recorded.

Ordinarily, the earlier of the two chronologically successive contentsends at the broadcast end time of the content in question, followed by acertain time period at the end of which the latter of the two contentsis made ready to be recorded by the recorder 41. Such a time lag isbrought about when the packet with its parameter “chunk size” set to “0”is sent by the receiver 21, with the system calls “close” and “open”processed consecutively by the file system of the recorder 41.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the receiver 21obtains beforehand information about the time required by the recorder41 to process the system calls “close” and “open.” That information iscalled the recording ready time information in this specification. Whentwo chronologically successive contents are to be recorded, the receiver21 sets an upload end time of the earlier of the two broadcast contentsbased on the above-defined recording ready time information. When theupload end time is reached, the receiver 21 sends the packet with itsparameter “chunk size” to “0” to the recorder 41.

In other words, by taking the recording ready time of the recorder 41into consideration, the receiver 21 forcibly terminates the process ofuploading the earlier of the two chronologically successive contents.This makes it possible to start recording the latter of the twosuccessively broadcast contents exactly from the beginning of thecontent in question.

According to this invention, the recording ready time information of therecorder 41 is included in the information called “Device Description”stipulated by UPnP as information defining the device type. The DeviceDescription is disclosed in detail in the document titled “Basic: 1.0Device Definition Version 1.0 For UPnP™ Version 1.0” issued by UPnPFORUM, an organization that drafts and establishes the UPnPspecifications and related requirements.

FIG. 2 is a tabular view showing an example of Device Descriptionwritten in XML statements. With the embodiment of the present invention,tags denoting the recording ready time information of the recorder 41are inserted into the Device Description in XML statements. In theexample of FIG. 2, the tags representing the recording ready timeinformation are inserted in an area 101 as part of the DeviceDescription in XML statements.

The area 101 in FIG. 2 shows a description<recReadyTime>time</recReadyTime>. In the area 101, the recording readytime information is denoted by the tags <recReadyTime>. Morespecifically, in the middle part “time” of the area 101 is described theactual recording ready time of the recorder 41 (e.g., time required toprocess the system calls “close” and “open”). If the recording readytime of the recorder 41 is three minutes, then a description<recReadyTime>3 minutes</recReadyTime> is written in the area 101 ofFIG. 2.

In the above example, the information about the time it takes to processthe system calls “close” and “open” was shown described as the recordingready time information using <recReadyTime> tags. Alternatively,different tags may be used to denote the time required to process thesystem calls “close” and “open.” For example, the time it takes toprocess the system call “close” may be represented by <recFinTime> tagsand the time required to process the system call “open” may be denotedusing <recStatTime> tags. In this alternative example, the area 101 inFIG. 2 would have <recFinTime>time</recFinTime>,<recStatTime>time</recStatTime> written therein.

The Device Description in such XML statements is stored illustrativelyin the internal memory 51 of the controller 42 in the recorder 41. Asneeded, the recorder 41 outputs onto the network 11 the URL (uniformresource locator) of the address information identifying the location atwhich the Device Description is stored in the memory 51.

Illustratively, when the recorder 41 is connected to the network 11 andactivated, the recorder 41 multicasts the above-mentioned URL over thenetwork 11 in accordance with a protocol called SSDP (Simple ServiceDiscover Protocol) under UPnP. Also multicast at this point isinformation identifying the recorder 41, sent to other UPnP-compatibleapparatuses (e.g., receiver 21) connected to the network 11 in additionto the URL of the address information identifying the location at whichthe Device Description is stored. The details of SSDP are disclosedillustratively in the document titled “UPnP Device Architecture 1.0”issued by UPnP FORUM.

Alternatively, at the time when the receiver 21 is operated to registerrecorders capable of recording content data, the URL of the DeviceDescription in the recorder 41 may be multicast in accordance with theabove-mentioned SSDP in the direction of the receiver 21.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as described,predetermined tags are inserted in the Device Description to describethe recording ready time. This arrangement makes it possible todesignate the recording ready time with no need to add special functionsto the receiver 21 or recorder 41 or to get them to execute specialprocesses.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a typical functional structure ofsoftware such as programs executed by the control section 23 of thereceiver 21. In FIG. 3, a recording ready time information acquisitionunit 131 acquires the recording ready time information of otherapparatuses.

Illustratively, when the above-mentioned SSDP-based multicast operationis performed, the recording ready time information acquisition unit 131acquires the URL of the multicast packet coming from another apparatus(e.g., recorder 41). The recording ready time information acquisitionunit 131 proceeds to store the obtained URL in association with an ID orthe like identifying the multicasting apparatus. As needed, therecording ready time information acquisition unit 131 accesses theacquired URL to obtain the recording ready time information of theapparatus in question and stores the obtained recording ready time inconjunction with the ID identifying that apparatus. Typically, the IDfor identifying the apparatus of interest may be its IP address. Therecording ready time information acquisition unit 131 controls thereceiver 21 in such a manner as to carry out the above-describedprocesses.

An upload control unit 132 controls uploading of content data to therecorder 41 illustratively based on preset reservations or on thecommands input by use of a remote controller.

The upload control unit 132 typically performs the action “CreateObject”stipulated by UPnP. Upon receipt of the action “CreateObject,” therecorder 41 sends to the receiver 21 a URL (uniform resource locator)denoting the storage area for accommodating content data. Thereafter,the upload control unit 132 carries out the process “http-post” definedby UPnP to transmit the content data to the URL that has been received.

The content upload process stipulated by UPnP is described below inreference to the arrow diagram of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 4, thereceiver 21 acting as a control point is shown uploading a content tothe recorder 41 serving as a media server.

In step S11, the receiver 21 performs the action “CreateObject”stipulated by UPnP. The operation causes information described in XML tobe sent to the recorder 41. In step S31, the recorder 41 receives thetransmitted information.

After receiving the action “CreateObject” in step S31, the recorder 41goes to step S32 and sends to the receiver 21 the URL (uniform resourcelocator) denoting the storage area for storing content data. In stepS12, the receiver 21 receives the URL.

In step S13, the receiver 21 carries out the process “http-post” definedby UPnP in order to send the content data to the URL that was receivedin step S12.

In step S33, the recorder 41 receives the content data sent by thereceiver 21 in step S13. The received content data is stored into thestorage 43.

In the steps described above, the receiver 21 (control point) uploadsthe content to the recorder 41 (media server). Before starting theuploading process, the upload control unit 132 acquires what has beendetected by a next program information detection unit 133.

The next program information detection unit 133 checks program recordingreservations set on the control section 23 to see if there are reservedprograms which chronologically follow the program about to be uploaded.Illustratively, the next program information detection unit 133 checksthe broadcast start times of the programs reserved to be recorded, andcompares the checked times with the broadcast end time of the programabout to be uploaded. Through the comparisons, the next programinformation detection unit 133 determines if, among the reservedprograms, there is a program of which the broadcast is set to startbefore a predetermined time period (e.g., three minutes) elapsessubsequent to the broadcast end time of the program about to beuploaded.

If there is found a program of which the broadcast is started beforesuch a predetermined time period elapses following the broadcast endtime of the program about to be uploaded, then the next programinformation detection unit 133 determines that two chronologicallysuccessive programs are reserved for recording. If no such program isdetected, the next program information detection unit 133 determinesthat two chronologically successive programs are not reserved forrecording. Given the result of the determination, the next programinformation detection unit 133 supplies the upload control unit 132 withinformation specifying whether two chronologically successive programsare reserved for recording.

When receiving the detected information saying that two chronologicallysuccessive programs are reserved for recording, the upload control unit132 determines the time at which to end the uploading of the content toanother apparatus (e.g., recorder 41) based on the recording reservationinformation and on the recording ready time information obtained by therecording ready time information acquisition unit 131. Illustratively,on the basis of the recording reservation information, the uploadcontrol unit 132 determines the broadcast start time of the latter ofthe two chronologically successive programs. At the same time, theupload control unit 132 determines the recording ready time of therecorder 41 and sets a suitable margin thereof. Illustratively, themargin may be the same as the recording ready time. This margin is addedto the broadcast start time for the latter of the two chronologicallysuccessive programs, and the resulting sum is established as the time atwhich to end the uploading process of the content about to be uploaded.

Based on time information supplied illustratively by the timer 24, theupload control unit 132 further determines whether the current time isthe time at which to end the uploading process of the content. When thecurrent time is found to be the time at which to end the uploadingprocess of the content, the upload control unit 132 sends theabove-mentioned packet with its parameter “chunk size” set to “0” to therecorder 41 over the network 11, the packet being designed to terminatethe uploading process. The upload control unit 132 and next programinformation detection unit 133 control the receiver 21 in such a manneras to effect the above-described processes.

Described below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is the recordingready time information acquiring process performed by the receiver 21.This process is carried out typically when the recorder 41 is connectedto the network 11. Alternatively, the process may be executed inconjunction with the user's operations for registering a recordercapable of recording content data.

In step S61, the recording ready time information acquisition unit 131obtains the URL contained in the above-mentioned SSDP-compatiblemulticast packet coming illustratively from the recorder 41. Therecording ready time information acquisition unit 131 stores theacquired URL in combination with an ID or the like identifying thepacket-sending apparatus.

As mentioned above, the URL may be multicast over the network 11 inaccordance with the protocol called SSDP when the recorder 41 isconnected to the network 11 and activated. Alternatively, the URL may bemulticast as per SSDP in conjunction with the user's operations forregistering the recorder capable of recording content data. In any case,it is assumed that prior to step S61, the recorder 41 sends out the URLof the address information identifying the location at which is storedthe above-mentioned Device Description or like specifics.

In step S62, the recording ready time information acquisition unit 131gains access to the URL obtained in step S61, and analyzes theinformation found at the URL regarding the device type or likespecifics. The information analyzed at this point is typically theDevice Description discussed above in connection with FIG. 2.

In step S63, the recording ready time information acquisition unit 131acquires recording ready time information. Illustratively, what isacquired at this point is the recording ready time information of therecorder 41 described using the tags <recReadyTime> in the area 101 ofFIG. 2.

In step S64, the recording ready time information acquisition unit 131stores the recording ready time information of the recorder 41 obtainedin step S63, in conjunction with the ID or the like identifying therecorder 41.

In the steps described above, the recording ready time information ofthe recorder 41 is acquired and stored. If recording apparatuses otherthan the recorder 41 are connected to the network 11, the recordingready time information of these apparatuses is also obtained in likemanner. The recording ready time information thus acquired is written toa suitable correspondence table associating the time information withthe ID of each of the apparatuses involved, the table being storedillustratively in an internal memory of the control section 23.

In the example of FIG. 5, steps S61 through S64 are assumed to becarried out consecutively. Alternatively, following step S61, steps S62through S64 may be performed as needed in a suitably timed manner.

Described below in reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is the uploadending process performed by the receiver 21. This process is carried outillustratively when the receiver 21 starts the process for uploading acontent as part of the program (i.e., content) recording process.

In step S81, the upload control unit 132 identifies the target apparatusto which to upload the content based on the recording reservationinformation set on the receiver 21. It is assumed here that the recorder41 is identified as the target apparatus.

In step S82, the upload control unit 132 determines the recording readytime of the target apparatus. Illustratively, the upload control unit132 acquires the recording ready time of the recorder 41 stored in stepS64 of FIG. 5.

In step S83, the upload control unit 132 sets an appropriate marginbased on the recording ready time determined in step S82. Typically, themargin may be the same as the recording ready time.

In step S84, the upload control unit 132 checks to determine whether thenext recording reservation exists. At this point, the upload controlunit 132 obtains the result of a next program detecting processperformed by the next program information detection unit 133.

As described above, the next program information detection unit 133checks to see if there are reserved programs which chronologicallyfollow the program about to be uploaded. If there is found a program ofwhich the broadcast is started before a predetermined time periodelapses following the broadcast end time of the program about to beuploaded, then the next program information detection unit 133determines that two chronologically successive programs are reserved forrecording. Based on the result of the determination, the next programinformation detection unit 133 supplies the upload control unit 132 withinformation specifying whether two chronologically successive programsare reserved for recording.

When acquiring the result of the detection indicating that twochronologically successive programs are reserved for recording, theupload control unit 132 in step S84 determines that the next recordingreservation exists. Upon receipt of the result of the detectionindicating that two chronologically successive programs are not reservedfor recording, the upload control unit 132 in step S84 determines thatthe next recording reservation does not exist.

If in step S84 the next recording reservation is found to exist, thenstep S85 is reached. In step S85, based on the recording reservationinformation and on the margin set in step S83, the upload control unit132 sets the time at which to end the process for uploading the contentto the recorder 41 (i.e., upload end time). Illustratively, the uploadcontrol unit 132 adds the above-mentioned margin to the broadcast starttime for the latter of the two chronologically successive programs, andestablishes the resulting sum as the time at which to end the uploadingprocess of the content about to be uploaded.

Consider the example of FIG. 7 in which two chronologically successiveprograms A and B are reserved for recording. It is assumed here that thebroadcast of the program B starts at the same time as the broadcast ofthe program A ends. That is, where the process of FIG. 6 is executed,the program A about to be uploaded is immediately followedchronologically by the program B reserved for recording. Illustratively,suppose that the broadcast start time of the program B is 8 p.m. (20:00)and that the margin set in step S83 is three minutes. In that case, 7:57p.m. (19:57) is the time at which to end the content uploading process(i.e., upload end time).

In step S86, the upload control unit 132 checks time information on thetimer 24. This step determines the current time.

In step S87, the upload control unit 132 checks to determine whether thecurrent time obtained in step S86 coincides with the upload end time setin step S85. If in step S87 the current time is not found to coincidewith the upload end time, then control is returned to step S86. StepsS86 and S87 are repeated until the current time is found to coincidewith the upload end time.

If in step S87 the current time is found to coincide with the upload endtime, then step S88 is reached. In step S88, the upload control unit 132sends a packet specifying an end of uploading to the recorder 41 overthe network 11 in order to terminate the uploading process. Morespecifically, the upload control unit 132 sends the above-mentionedpacket with its parameter “chunk size” set to “0” to the recorder 41.This operation causes the file system to process the system call “close”so that the recorder 41 will record the content data of the program A asa file. With the system call “close” processed, the process foruploading the content data of the program B is started.

The upload ending process is carried out as discussed above. When thisprocess is performed, part of the content of the program A is notrecorded but the content of the program B can be recorded from thebeginning. In the example of FIG. 7, the recording of the program A isdeprived of a portion which is broadcast between 7:57 p.m. (19:57) and 8p.m. (20:00) and which corresponds to an area 201 in FIG. 7. That isbecause the receiver 21 forcibly terminates the uploading process bytaking the recording ready time of the recorder 41 into consideration.The program B starts getting recorded exactly from its broadcast starttime of 8 p.m. (20:00).

Back in step S84 of FIG. 6, if the next recording reservation is notfound to exist, then steps S85 through S88 are skipped and the processis brought to an end. In this case, the program A shown in FIG. 7 isrecorded in its entirety from the broadcast start time to the broadcastend time (at 8 a.m., or 20:00), including the portion corresponding tothe area 201.

Although the process of FIG. 6 was described as getting executed whenthe process for uploading the content is started by the receiver 21 aspart of the program recording process, this is not limitative of thepresent invention. Alternatively, the process may be repeated aplurality of times at predetermined time intervals after the process ofuploading the program A in FIG. 7 is started until the recording of theprogram comes to an end. In this manner, if the program B is reservedfor recording after the recording (upload) of the program A is started,the program B can still be recorded starting from its broadcast starttime. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the user mayhave desired broadcast programs recorded more reliably than before asdescribed.

The foregoing description dealt with the typical processes taking placebetween the receiver 21 and the recorder 41. However, this is notlimitative of the present invention. The invention also applies to theprocesses to be carried out between the receiver 21 and other recorders.

The foregoing description was based on the assumption that the receiver21 and recorder 41 are both UPnP-compatible apparatuses. However, thereceiver 21 and recorder 41 need not be compatible with the UPnPspecifications if the receiver 21 can reliably obtain the recordingready time information of the recorder 41 in predetermined steps.

The series of steps and processes described above may be executed eitherby hardware or by software. Where the software-based processing is to becarried out, the programs constituting the software may be eitherincorporated beforehand in dedicated hardware of a computer for programexecution or installed upon use over a network or from a suitablerecording medium into a general-purpose personal computer such as one inFIG. 8 capable of executing diverse functions based on the installedprograms.

In the structure of FIG. 8, a CPU (central processing unit) 701 performsvarious processes in accordance with the programs held in a ROM (readonly memory) 702 or in keeping with the programs loaded from a storagedevice 708 into a RAM (random access memory) 703. The RAM 703 may alsoaccommodate data needed by the CPU 701 in carrying out its diverseprocessing.

The CPU 701, ROM 702, and RAM 703 are interconnected with one another byway of a bus 704. An input/output interface 705 is also connected to thebus 704.

The input/output interface 705 is further connected to an input device706, an output device 707, the storage device 708, and a communicationdevice 709. The input device 706 is typically made up of a keyboard anda mouse. The output device 707 is formed by a display such as a CRT(cathode ray tube) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) and by speakers.The storage device 708 is illustratively composed of a hard disk drive.The communication device 709 is typically constituted by a modem and anetwork interface card such as a LAN card. The communication device 709conducts communications over networks including the Internet.

A drive 710 may be connected as needed to the input/output interface705. A piece of removable media 711 such as a magnetic disk, an opticaldisk, a magneto-optical disk or a semiconductor memory may be loadedinto the drive 710. Computer programs retrieved from the loadedremovable medium may be installed as needed into the storage device 708.

Where the above-described processes or steps are to be performed bysoftware, the program constituting the software are installed into thecomputer over networks such as the Internet or from an appropriaterecording medium such as the removable media 711.

The recording medium is offered to users not only as the removable media711 (shown in FIG. 8) apart from their computer or the like andconstituted by magnetic disks (including floppy disks (registeredtrademark)), optical disks (including CD-ROM (compact disc-read onlymemory) and DVD (digital versatile disc)), magneto-optical disks(including MD (MiniDisc; Registered Trademark of Sony Corporation)), orsemiconductor memory accommodating the programs of interest; but also inthe form of the ROM 702 or the hard disk drive in the storage device 708containing the programs and incorporated beforehand in the computer.

In this specification, the steps describing the programs to be executedrepresent not only the processes that are to be carried out in thedepicted sequence (i.e., on a time series basis) but also processes thatmay be performed parallelly or individually and not chronologically.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factor in so far as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A receiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recordingapparatus and for getting said recording apparatus to record thecontents in accordance with preset recording reservations, saidreceiving apparatus comprising: recording ready time informationacquisition means for acquiring from said recording apparatusinformation about a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of one content is ordered to be ended until the recording ofanother content is ready to be started; continuous recordingdetermination means for determining whether two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents are reserved for recording based on saidpreset recording reservations; and end time setting means for, if saidtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved forrecording, setting the time at which to end processing for recording theearlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of thelatter of the two contents and on the acquired information about saidrecording ready time.
 2. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, by communicating with said recording apparatus over saidnetwork under protocols stipulated by a standard known as UPnP whichstands for Universal Plug and Play, said recording ready timeinformation acquisition means acquires said recording ready time inaccordance with said protocols.
 3. The receiving apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein said recording ready time information is defined byUPnP and described by predetermined tags inside device descriptioninformation held by said recording apparatus.
 4. The receiving apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said receiving apparatus storesinformation for identifying said recording apparatus; and when storingsaid information for identifying said recording apparatus, saidreceiving apparatus acquires and stores address information foridentifying the location at which is stored said recording ready timeinformation inside said recording apparatus.
 5. A receiving method foruse with a receiving apparatus for sending received contents to arecording apparatus and for getting said recording apparatus to recordthe contents in accordance with preset recording reservations, saidreceiving method comprising the steps of: acquiring from said recordingapparatus information about a recording ready time that elapses from thetime the recording of one content is ordered to be ended until therecording of another content is ready to be started; determining whethertwo chronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved forrecording based on said preset recording reservations; and if said twochronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved forrecording, then setting the time at which to end processing forrecording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast starttime of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired informationabout said recording ready time.
 6. A program comprising the step ofcausing a computer to function as a receiving apparatus for sendingreceived contents to a recording apparatus and for getting saidrecording apparatus to record the contents in accordance with presetrecording reservations, said receiving apparatus including: recordingready time information acquisition means for acquiring from saidrecording apparatus information about a recording ready time thatelapses from the time the recording of one content is ordered to beended until the recording of another content is ready to be started;continuous recording determination means for determining whether twochronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recordingbased on said preset recording reservations; and end time setting meansfor, it said two chronologically successive broadcast contents are foundreserved for recording, setting the time at which to end processing forrecording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast starttime of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired informationabout said recording ready time.
 7. A recording apparatus for recordingreceived contents sent by a receiving apparatus configured to receivecontents, said recording apparatus comprising: storage means for storingrecording ready time information for use by said receiving apparatuspreset with two chronologically successive broadcast contents reservedfor recording, said recording ready time information allowing saidreceiving apparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from thetime the recording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to beended until the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready tobe started; and address information output means for outputting addressinformation onto a network connected with said receiving apparatus, saidaddress information identifying the location at which is stored saidrecording ready time information inside said storage means.
 8. Therecording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said recording readytime information is defined by UPnP standing for Universal Plug and Playand is described by predetermined tags inside device descriptioninformation.
 9. A recording method for use with a recording apparatusfor recording received contents sent by a receiving apparatus configuredto receive contents, said recording method comprising the steps of:causing storage means of said recording apparatus to store recordingready time information for use by said receiving apparatus preset withtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents reserved forrecording, said recording ready time information allowing said receivingapparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to be endeduntil the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready to bestarted; and outputting address information onto a network connectedwith said receiving apparatus, said address information identifying thelocation at which is stored said recording ready time information insidesaid storage means.
 10. A program comprising the step of causing acomputer to function as a recording apparatus for recording receivedcontents sent by a receiving apparatus configured to receive contents,said recording apparatus including: storage means for storing recordingready time information for use by said receiving apparatus preset withtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents reserved forrecording, said recording ready time information allowing said receivingapparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to be endeduntil the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready to bestarted; and address information output means for outputting addressinformation onto a network connected with said receiving apparatus, saidaddress information identifying the location at which is stored saidrecording ready time information inside said storage means.
 11. Arecording medium on which is recorded said program claimed in claim 6,said program comprising the step of causing a computer to function as areceiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recordingapparatus and for getting said recording apparatus to record thecontents in accordance with preset recording reservations, saidreceiving apparatus including: recording ready time informationacquisition means for acquiring from said recording apparatusinformation about a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of one content is ordered to be ended until the recording ofanother content is ready to be started; continuous recordingdetermination means for determining whether two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents are reserved for recording based on saidpreset recording reservations; and end time setting means for, if saidtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved forrecording, setting the time at which to end processing for recording theearlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of thelatter of the two contents and on the acquired information about saidrecording ready time.
 12. A recording medium on which is recorded saidprogram claimed in claim 10, said program comprising the step of causinga computer to function as a recording apparatus for recording receivedcontents sent by a receiving apparatus configured to receive contents,said recording apparatus including: storage means for storing recordingready time information for use by said receiving apparatus preset withtwo chronologically successive broadcast contents reserved forrecording, said recording ready time information allowing said receivingapparatus to set a recording ready time that elapses from the time therecording of the earlier of the two contents is ordered to be endeduntil the recording of the latter of the two contents is ready to bestarted; and address information output means for outputting addressinformation onto a network connected with said receiving apparatus, saidaddress information identifying the location at which is stored saidrecording ready time information inside said storage means.
 13. Anetwork system comprising: a receiving apparatus; and a recordingapparatus, said receiving apparatus and said recording apparatus beinginterconnected via a network, said receiving apparatus receivingcontents based on preset recording reservations, said recordingapparatus recording the contents received by said recording apparatus;wherein said receiving apparatus includes recording ready timeinformation acquisition means for acquiring from said recordingapparatus information about a recording ready time that elapses from thetime the recording of one content is ordered to be ended until therecording of another content is ready to be started, continuousrecording determination means for determining whether twochronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recordingbased on said preset recording reservations, and end time setting meansfor, if said two chronologically successive broadcast contents are foundreserved for recording, setting the time at which to end processing forrecording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast starttime of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired informationabout said recording ready time, and said recording apparatus includesstorage means for storing said recording ready time information for useby said receiving apparatus preset with said two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents reserved for recording, said recordingready time information allowing said receiving apparatus to set saidrecording ready time that elapses from the time the recording of theearlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until the recordingof the latter of the two contents is ready to be started, and addressinformation output means for outputting address information onto saidnetwork connected with said receiving apparatus, said addressinformation identifying the location at which is stored said recordingready time information inside said storage means.
 14. A receivingapparatus for sending received contents to a recording apparatus and forgetting said recording apparatus to record the contents in accordancewith preset recording reservations, said receiving apparatus comprising:a recording ready time information acquisition section configured toacquire from said recording apparatus information about a recordingready time that elapses from the time the recording of one content isordered to be ended until the recording of another content is ready tobe started; a continuous recording determination section configured todetermine whether two chronologically successive broadcast contents arereserved for recording based on said preset recording reservations; andan end time setting section configured such that if said twochronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved forrecording, then said end time setting section sets the time at which toend processing for recording the earlier of the two contents based on abroadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and on theacquired information about said recording ready time.
 15. A recordingapparatus for recording received contents sent by a receiving apparatusconfigured to receive contents, said recording apparatus comprising: astorage section configured to store recording ready time information foruse by said receiving apparatus preset with two chronologicallysuccessive broadcast contents reserved for recording, said recordingready time information allowing said receiving apparatus to set arecording ready time that elapses from the time the recording of theearlier of the two contents is ordered to be ended until the recordingof the latter of the two contents is ready to be started; and an addressinformation output section configured to output address information ontoa network connected with said receiving apparatus, said addressinformation identifying the location at which is stored said recordingready time information inside said storage section.